Would Richmond be ready? That’s the question Dana Mollenkopf asked himself while assisting with relief efforts after tornadoes decimated Mayfield, Kentucky, during December 2021. His answer was: Probably not. That’s when he began pushing to form a Wayne County Community Organizations Active in Disaster group, abbreviated as COAD. There wasn’t much momentum until the April […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Museum to open Burton exhibit
Those who knew Seara Burton say she cared about children, history and the north side Richmond neighborhood she patrolled. Thus, Wayne County Historical Museum staff say they are honored to open a new permanent exhibit honoring the late Richmond Police Department K9 officer and her contributions to the community. The display, called “Seara Burton Legacy […]
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County provides RCS police cars, protective vests
Wayne County is helping equip Richmond Community Schools’ new police department. Commissioners voted 3-0 July 26 to sell RCS four police vehicles and three protective vests for $20,000. Superintendent Curtis Wright and board member Peter Zaleski attended the meeting to make the RCS request for “those things that are essential to make sure that our […]
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Courthouse exterior repair work likely to end this fall
Repairs to the Wayne County courthouse’s exterior could conclude this fall. Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, provided project updates July 19 during the combined county council and commissioners workshop. The project was originally expected to stretch into 2024; however, Higinbotham said work has proceeded this spring and summer enough to expect […]
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City contracts for work on bicycle path’s Phase 2
After a pandemic delay, wheels are again turning toward completion of Richmond’s Loop bicycle path. Phase 2 of the Complete Streets Loop Project was originally scheduled for 2022 construction; however, the Indiana Department of Transportation requested the project be rescheduled for November 2023 bidding and 2024 construction. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety […]
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Council has little room for increases to 2024 budget
Wayne County Council members spent more than six hours July 19 listening to 2024 departmental budget requests. After only about a half-hour, requests for additional funding already exceeded the extra funds available for 2024. Department heads explained and defended the requests they had submitted, but the county expects only about $680,000 in additional property tax […]
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How can Wayne County residents live longer?
Wayne County residents can expect to live about six years less than an average American and about four years less than the average Hoosier. The county’s life expectancy is 72.9 years, according to the Indiana Department of Health. That’s 90th among Indiana’s 92 counties. A new Health First Indiana program gives the Wayne County Health […]
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Habitat for Humanity home receives needed variance approval
A sign already announces the Good News Habitat for Humanity project on South L Street. A zoning variance granted July 12 by Richmond’s Board of Zoning Appeals helps Good News move forward with its planned three-bedroom house. The house, which is 59 feet, 11 inches wide, allows just three feet on either side between the […]
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BZA denies livestock auction next to The Barn at Helm
Julie Frame hugged her husband, Tim, after learning a livestock auction would not be permitted next to their business, The Barn at Helm. Wayne County’s Board of Zoning Appeals denied a special exception request for the auction on agricultural land west of the Frames’ agritourism business where they grow flowers and provide event space. Board […]
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County recorder requests security wall for office
Wayne County Recorder Debbie Tiemann hopes to be proactive about the safety of her staff and the confidential records her office maintains. She discussed with Wayne County’s commissioners July 12 constructing a security wall for her department’s office space in the Wayne County Administration Building’s west wing. Tiemann has funds available to pay for the […]